Jacques Bentyn (Bentin)

Schout-fiscael of New Netherland, 1636-1638

Jacques Bentyn, an Englishman, was appointed by the Dutch West India Company to Director Van Twiller's Council and he sailed from Holland on board the ship Sontberg (Salt Mountain) with Van Twiller and his retinue. The ship arrived at Fort Amsterdam in April 1633.

In 1636, Bentyn became the Schout-fiscael of New Netherland when Lubertus Van Dincklage was removed from office by Director Van Twiller for criticizing the Director's administration. Bentyn continued in office until Ulrich Lupold was appointed Schout on March 28, 1638.

Jacques Bentyn and William Bennett purchased a large tract of land in Gowanus in 1636. Bentyn continued to be an influential member of the New Amsterdam community and was selected as a member of the Twelve Men in 1641. He was an early supporter of Kieft's Indian War. Bentyn was a member of the Councilpro hac vice, for the 1642 trial of Hendrick Jansen, charged with slandering Director Van Twiller.

Jacques Bentyn left New Netherland in 1648, and returned to Europe.

SOURCES

Edmund Bailey O'Callaghan. The Register of New Netherland, 1626 to 1674 (1865)